Research Profile

Yafa Shanneik

BIOGRAPHY

Yafa Shanneik is a part-time lecturer at University College Cork. She was a post-doctoral researcher in the IRCHSS-project on Islam in Ireland, researching on Muslim women, both migrants and converts, in Ireland and investigating gender dynamics within the Irish Muslim community. Yafa Shanneik holds a Ph.D. from the Department of English Literature and Cultural Studies at the University of Würzburg (Germany). She has published several articles on Arab migrants and their literature in Europe. Her research interests include gender and Islam, migrant identities in Europe and postcolonial literature.



Research Interests

Dr Shanneik is currently undertaking ethnographic research on Muslim women in Ireland in two areas: her work on Shii women communities in Ireland analyses gendered Shii religious practices and rituals. Her other work focuses on women converts to Islam in Ireland, both of an Irish and Eastern European background. The analysis of the women’s conversion narratives and their identity constructions also considers their everyday life and their religious practices within a predominantly Catholic environment.

Publications

Books

 YearPublication
(2014)Islam in Ireland: Past and Present.
Oliver Scharbrodt, Adil Hussain Khan, Tuula Sakaranaho, Vivian Ibrahim, Yafa Shanneik; (2014) Islam in Ireland: Past and Present. London: Equinox. [Details]
(2009)„Weder vom Osten noch vom Westen“: Intermediacy in ausgewählten deutsch- und englischsprachigen Werken von Autorinnen und Autoren arabischer Herkunft [‘Neither of the East nor of the West’: Intermediacy in Selected German and English Novels by Authors of Arab Origin’].
Yafa Shanneik (2009) „Weder vom Osten noch vom Westen“: Intermediacy in ausgewählten deutsch- und englischsprachigen Werken von Autorinnen und Autoren arabischer Herkunft [‘Neither of the East nor of the West’: Intermediacy in Selected German and English Novels by Authors of Arab Origin’]. Würzburg: Würzburger Online Publications. [Details]
(2004)Transkulturalität und euro-arabische Literatur von Migrantinnen. Neue Aufgabenfelder der Anglistik in Deutschland [Transculturality and Euro-Arab Literature by Migrants: New Fields of Research for English Studies in Germany].
Yafa Shanneik and Ralph Pordzik (2004) Transkulturalität und euro-arabische Literatur von Migrantinnen. Neue Aufgabenfelder der Anglistik in Deutschland [Transculturality and Euro-Arab Literature by Migrants: New Fields of Research for English Studies in Germany]. Würzburg: Würzburger Geographie Manuskripte. [Details]

Book Chapters

 YearPublication
(2012)'‘Iraqi and Gulf Shii Women in Ireland: Authenticity and Autonomy in the Diaspora’'
Yafa Shanneik (2012) '‘Iraqi and Gulf Shii Women in Ireland: Authenticity and Autonomy in the Diaspora’' In: Religion, Gender and the Public Sphere. New York: Routledge. [Details]
(2008)'‘A Literary Dialogue of Cultures: Arab Authors in Germany’'
Yafa Shanneik (2008) '‘A Literary Dialogue of Cultures: Arab Authors in Germany’' In: Islam and Muslims in Germany. Leiden: Brill. [Details]
(2006)'• ‘Die Werke der ägyptischen Autorin Ahdaf Soueif als Mittel zur Dekonstruktion des Fremden’ [‘Deconstructing the Other: The Novels by the Egyptian Authors Ahdaf Soueif’]'
Yafa Shanneik (2006) '• ‘Die Werke der ägyptischen Autorin Ahdaf Soueif als Mittel zur Dekonstruktion des Fremden’ [‘Deconstructing the Other: The Novels by the Egyptian Authors Ahdaf Soueif’]' In: Der Nahe Osten - Ein Teil Europas? Reflektionen zu Raum und Kulturkonzeptionen im modernen Nahen Osten. Würzburg: Ergon. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

 YearPublication
(2012)'‘Religion and Diasporic Dwelling: Algerian Muslim Women in Ireland’'
Yafa Shanneik (2012) '‘Religion and Diasporic Dwelling: Algerian Muslim Women in Ireland’' [Details]
(2011)'‘James Hodkinson and Jeffrey Morrison (eds.): Encounters with Islam in German Literature and Culture’ (book review)'
Yafa Shanneik (2011) '‘James Hodkinson and Jeffrey Morrison (eds.): Encounters with Islam in German Literature and Culture’ (book review)' [Details]
(2011)'‘Conversion and Religious Habitus: The Experiences of Irish Women Converts to Islam in the Pre-Celtic Tiger Era’'
Yafa Shanneik (2011) '‘Conversion and Religious Habitus: The Experiences of Irish Women Converts to Islam in the Pre-Celtic Tiger Era’' [Details]

Other Journals

 YearPublication
(2008)'‘Warum Englisch und nicht Arabisch?’ [‘Why English and Not Arabic?’]'
Yafa Shanneik (2008) '‘Warum Englisch und nicht Arabisch?’ [‘Why English and Not Arabic?’]' LISAN, . [Details]
(2004)'‘Ahdaf Soueif: Developing a Euro-Arab Literature’'
Yafa Shanneik (2004) '‘Ahdaf Soueif: Developing a Euro-Arab Literature’' Qantara, .   [Details]

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2012)Religion and (In)Equalities, Sociology of Religion Study Group (SOCREL) Annual Conference,
Yafa Shanneik (2012) ‘Between Fadlallah and Sistani: Iraqi Shii Women in Ireland’. [Oral Presentation], Religion and (In)Equalities, Sociology of Religion Study Group (SOCREL) Annual Conference, University of Chester , 28-MAR-12 - 30-MAR-12
(2011)Inter-disciplinary workshop on 'Identities',
Yafa Shanneik (2011) 'Identity Constructions of Irish Converts to Islam in the Pre- Celtic Tiger Era'. [Oral Presentation], Inter-disciplinary workshop on 'Identities', University College Cork, Ireland , 13-SEP-11 - 13-SEP-11
(2011)ESF Research Conference on Religion, Gender, and Human Rights,
Yafa Shanneik (2011) ‘Arab Muslim Women in Ireland: Formation of Gender Identity and Irish Society’. [Oral Presentation], ESF Research Conference on Religion, Gender, and Human Rights, Scandic Linköping Väst, Sweden , 21-JUN-11 - 25-JUN-11
(2011)New Agendas in Social Movement Studies Conference, National University of Ireland,
Yafa Shanneik (2011) ‘Irish Women Converting to Islam: A New Post-Secular Movement?’. [Oral Presentation], New Agendas in Social Movement Studies Conference, National University of Ireland, NUI Maynooth, Ireland , 26-NOV-11 - 26-NOV-11
(2011)Research Seminar, Study of Religions Department,
Yafa Shanneik (2011) ‘Algerian Muslim Women in Catholic Ireland’. [Oral Presentation], Research Seminar, Study of Religions Department, University College Cork, Ireland , 23-MAR-11 - 23-MAR-11
(2011)At the Margins of Europe? Muslims in Finland, Ireland and Portugal, international conference,
Yafa Shanenik (2011) ‘Home or Exile – Imagination or Reality? Arab Muslim Women Migrants’ Construction of Identities in Ireland’. [Invited Oral Presentation], At the Margins of Europe? Muslims in Finland, Ireland and Portugal, international conference, University of Lisbon , 17-MAR-11 - 18-MAR-11
(2010)Research Seminar, Department of Sociology,
Yafa Shanneik (2010) ‘Constructing Diasporic Identities: The Life Stories of Arab Muslim Women in Ireland’. [Invited Oral Presentation], Research Seminar, Department of Sociology, University of Limerick, Ireland , 17-NOV-10 - 17-NOV-10
(2010)International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR),
Yafa Shanneik (2010) ‘“White Muslims” in Ireland: Constructing and Reconstructing Women Converts' Identities’. [Oral Presentation], International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR), Toronto, Canada , 15-AUG-10 - 21-AUG-10
(2010)Third World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies (WOCMES-3),
Yafa Shanneik (2010) ‘Patriarchal and Anti-Patriarchal Narrative Strategies in Contemporary Anglophone Literature by Arab Authors: The Construction of Female Images in Pillars of Salt and In the Eye of the Sun’. [Oral Presentation], Third World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies (WOCMES-3), Barcelona, Spain , 19-JUL-10 - 24-JUL-10
(2010)Third World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies (WOCMES-3),
Yafa Shanneik (2010) ‘Arab Muslim Women in Ireland: Gender, Nationality and Religion in the Formation of Arab Diaspora Identities in Europe’. [Oral Presentation], Third World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies (WOCMES-3), Barcelona, Spain , 19-JUL-10 - 24-JUL-10
(2010)Seminar Series, Migration Cluster,
Yafa Shanneik (2010) ‘Muslim Women Migrants in Ireland – Preliminary Thoughts’. [Invited Oral Presentation], Seminar Series, Migration Cluster, University College Cork, Ireland , 17-JUN-10 - 17-JUN-10
(2010)Workshop on Islam in Finland and Ireland,
Yafa Shanneik (2010) ‘Irish Muslim Converts: A Double Displacement? Preliminary Thoughts’. [Invited Oral Presentation], Workshop on Islam in Finland and Ireland, Helsinki, Finland , 19-MAY-10 - 20-MAY-10
(2009)Inaugural Conference of the Centre for Anglo-Arab and Muslim Writing: Mapping Emergent Arab and Muslim Literatures in English,
Yafa Shanneik (2009) ‘Being “Out of Place” as a Consequence of Globalisation in Novels by Ahdaf Soueif and Leila Aboulela’. [Oral Presentation], Inaugural Conference of the Centre for Anglo-Arab and Muslim Writing: Mapping Emergent Arab and Muslim Literatures in English, University of Nizwa, Oman , 12-DEC-09 - 15-DEC-09
(2008)Babel-Upon-Amstel. International Conference on Migration, Language and Literature in Europe,
Yafa Shanneik (2008) ‘Textualizing Nomadism’. [Invited Oral Presentation], Babel-Upon-Amstel. International Conference on Migration, Language and Literature in Europe, Amsterdam, The Netherlands , 24-APR-08 - 26-APR-08
(2006)Second World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies (WOCMES-2),
Yafa Shanneik (2006) ‘Gender Representations in Anglo-Arab and German-Arab Literature’. [Oral Presentation], Second World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies (WOCMES-2), Amman, Jordan , 11-JUN-06 - 16-JUN-06
(2005)International Conference on Innovations and Reproductions in Cultures and Societies (IRICS),
Yafa Shanneik (2005) ‘1001 Nacht Harem- Phantasien in der westlichen Literatur: Fortbestand mit neuem Gewand?’. [Oral Presentation], International Conference on Innovations and Reproductions in Cultures and Societies (IRICS), Vienna, Austria , 09-DEC-05 - 11-DEC-05
(2005)International Congress on Contemporary Research on the Middle East (12th Congress of DAVO),
Yafa Shanneik (2005) ‘Auswirkungen der kulturellen Globalisierung auf arabische Frauen’. [Oral Presentation], International Congress on Contemporary Research on the Middle East (12th Congress of DAVO), Hamburg, Germany , 27-OCT-05 - 29-OCT-05
(2005)European Association for Middle Eastern Studies and the British Society for Middle Eastern Studies Joint Annual Conference,
Yafa Shanneik (2005) ‘Euro-Arab Literature: The Image of Arab Women between Tradition and Modernity’. [Oral Presentation], European Association for Middle Eastern Studies and the British Society for Middle Eastern Studies Joint Annual Conference, Durham, UK , 12-SEP-05 - 16-SEP-05

Professional Activities

Honours and Awards

 YearTitleAwarding Body
2006'European Culture from Inside and from Outside: Transculturalism and the Literature of Migrants’ Project Research Grant ‘Culture Programme 2000’ – European Commission
2005PhD research fellowship 2005-2008 The Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation (‘Begabtenförderung’)
2011ESF-LiU Conference: Religion, Gender and Human Rights, Linkoping, Sweden: 21-25 June 2011 European Science Foundation

Employment

 EmployerPositionFrom / To
Study of Religions Department, UCC Part-time lecturer/
Italian Department and School of Asian Studies, UCC Arabic language instructor22-SEP-08 /
MA Contemporary Migration and Diaspora Programme, UCC Part-time lecturer/
MA in Women’s Studies, UCC Part-time lecturer/
Study of Religions Department, UCC Post-Doctoral Researcher in ‘History of Islam in Ireland’ Project, funded by IRCHSS01-SEP-09 / 30-NOV-11

Education

 YearInstituionQualificationSubject
2002Department of English Language and Literature, Yarmouk University, Jordan BACHELOR OF ARTSEnglish Literature and Language
2003Department of English Literature and Cultural Studies, University of Würzburg, Germany MASTER OF ARTSEnglish, American and Arabic Language and Literature
2009Department of English Literature and Cultural Studies, University of Würzburg, Germany PHDEnglish Literature and Cultural Studies

Languages

 LanguageReadingWritingSpeaking
Arabic FluentFluentFluent
German FluentFluentFluent
English FluentFluentFluent
French FunctionalFunctionalFunctional

Reviews

 JournalRole
Irish Journal Of Sociology Referee

Other Activities

 Description

Assistant editor of series on German-Arab relations (Schriftenreihe zu deutsch-arabischen Beziehungen, Würzburger Geographische Manuskripte)

Translation of Arabic texts and documents on the history, politics and economy of the Middle East 

Teaching Activities

Teaching Interests

Part-time lecturer in MA in Contemporary Religions
RG6010 Critical Theory in the Study of Religions
RG6040 Fieldwork and Research Methods

Part-time lecturer in MA Contemporary Migration and Diaspora Programme 
 
GG6401 - Introduction to Migration and Diaspora Studies
GG6402 - Research Methods and Sources in Migration and Diaspora Studies

GG6403 - Case Studies and Current Issues in Migration and Diaspora Studies  

Part-time lecturer in MA in Women’s Studies
WS6003 Women in Society I
WS6005 Women in Society II

Contact details


Search profiles by name

Search profiles by topic

Study of Religions Department

Staidéar Reiligiún

Room 2.22, O'Rahilly Building, University College Cork, College Road, Cork, T12 ND89

Top